NORFOLK—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the execution of agreements critical for advancement of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project. The Commonwealth has signed a Project Agreement for Funding and Administration (PAFA) with the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), and a Comprehensive Agreement with design-build team Hampton Roads Connector Partners for the HRBT Expansion Project.
The $3.8 billion project is expected to be completed by November 1, 2025. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion is projected to bolster the economic competitiveness of the Hampton Roads region with more than $4.6 billion in investments and a projected 28,000 new jobs over the life of the project.
“The largest project in VDOT history, this expansion will address some of our most pressing transportation challenges and unlock opportunity for families, military personnel, and businesses not only in the Hampton Roads region, but across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “These agreements are a culmination of the diligent work and extensive negotiations by our dedicated teams over the past year to deliver significant improvements to reduce daily congestion, increase safety, and enhance connectivity throughout this key corridor.”
At its March meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) endorsed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Finding of Public Interest for the HRBT Expansion, and authorized execution of the PAFA. HRTAC authorized execution of the PAFA at its March meeting.
The primary source of funding for the project is HRTAC, with applications for state and federal financial support in the process of being finalized. In addition, VDOT will fund replacement of the bridge trestles on the Norfolk side.
“This generational project will increase capacity, support emergency evacuation readiness, and deliver the largest transportation asset in Virginia’s history,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “The collaboration between the Commonwealth of Virginia and HRTAC has enabled a project that will create jobs and support commerce, tourism, shipbuilding, the Port of Virginia, and our military.”
“HRTAC is proud to have collaborated with the Commonwealth of Virginia to fund and deliver the largest project in Virginia’s history right here in the Hampton Roads region,” said HRTAC Chairman Michael Hipple. “The HRBT Expansion project will reduce congestion and improve connectivity, creating economic opportunity for the entire region.”
“The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project is the most significant project in generations for Hampton Roads,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “This project—the largest transportation project in VDOT’s history—will ease congestion in southeastern Virginia and add much needed capacity to one of the region’s most congested corridors.”
Following today’s announcement by Governor Northam, VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich and HRTAC Chairman Michael Hipple ceremonially signed the PAFA, and Commissioner Brich and Rafael de la Barreda, Executive Vice President of Dragados USA, ceremonially signed the Comprehensive Agreement.
“These agreements will lead the way for a historic investment in transportation infrastructure in the Hampton Roads region,” said Delegate Chris Jones. “The improvements to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel will significantly enhance the quality of life for all those who utilize this public asset on a daily basis.”
“Fifteen years ago, I chaired the Third Crossing Commission that set the strategy in motion that has led us to the unprecedented cooperation between local, regional, and state transportation leaders,” said Senator Frank Wagner. “To be involved in the HRBT expansion project from its first vision to now a reality has been a pinnacle of my 28 years of service in the state legislature.”
This project will add two new two-lane tunnels. It will widen the four-lane sections of Interstate 64 in Hampton between Settlers Landing Road and the Phoebus shoreline, as well as the four-lane section of I-64 in Norfolk between the Willoughby shoreline and the I-564 interchange. More than 100,000 vehicles currently use this facility during peak travel periods.
Additional information is available on www.hrbtexpansion.org.
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